SAPS Civil War? Top Cop Sibiya Accuses Senior Police Chiefs of Criminal Conduct in Explosive Court Bid

Accusations of bribery, torture, and obstruction rock South Africa’s police service as one of its most senior officers heads to court to fight what he calls a targeted witch-hunt.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is no stranger to controversy, but what’s currently unfolding in the upper ranks is unlike anything the public has seen in years. In a blistering court application, Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya has fired a shot across the bow of SAPS leadership, naming national commissioner General Fannie Masemola and other senior figures in a web of alleged criminal activity.

Power Struggles Behind Closed Doors

At the heart of the storm is Sibiya’s urgent bid to return to work. He was ordered to “stay at home” pending an internal investigation. But in documents filed with the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, Sibiya claims this move is part of a calculated effort to sideline him while protecting others facing more serious allegations.

His court filing reads like a political thriller: Sibiya alleges that Masemola, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, and Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili are themselves under active investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC). The charges? Bribery, dishonesty, illegal rendition, torture, and obstruction of justice.

What Sibiya finds galling is the inconsistency. While he’s been benched, he says others with serious cases hanging over their heads—including top crime intelligence officials, remain in their positions untouched.

Caught in the Crossfire

Sibiya hasn’t stopped at just defending his professional integrity. He’s also raised the alarm about threats to his life. According to a risk assessment by the acting head of Crime Intelligence, Major-General Solomon Makgato, threats against Sibiya are real and classified as high risk. The recommendation was clear: provide him with full-time security.

Masemola, however, has yet to act. Sibiya says he’s now been left to protect himself and his family, without a bodyguard, driver, or financial support for legal fees. “Assuming I am not killed in the interim,” he told the court, “this is a dangerous time.”

The Bigger Picture: A System in Crisis

President Cyril Ramaphosa has already set the wheels in motion for a judicial commission of inquiry into corruption, political interference, and criminality in law enforcement. Retiring Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga will lead the probe. Sibiya wants the court to stop SAPS from conducting any internal actions against him while this commission runs its course.

He argues that Masemola is not a neutral figure in the matter, especially given his perceived loyalty to Mkhwanazi—who Sibiya says made the very allegations that led to his forced leave. Sibiya has sent Mkhwanazi a formal demand to retract his “defamatory” claims, reserving the right to take further legal action.

Public Reaction and Silence at the Top

News of the court application has lit up legal and political circles, with some seeing it as a courageous act of whistleblowing, while others caution that it could deepen divisions within an already strained police force. On social media, the public is calling for transparency and demanding that the President’s commission be fast-tracked.

As of publication, SAPS spokespersons and the acting police minister Gwede Mantashe have not responded to media queries. IDAC and IPID have remained tight-lipped, citing the upcoming commission.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just a case of internal police politics, it’s a glimpse into what many believe is a rot at the heart of South Africa’s law enforcement system. The stakes are high: credibility, public trust, and the safety of those who risk their lives in service.

If Sibiya’s claims hold water, the implications are enormous. If not, then one of SAPS’s most senior officers is making unfounded allegations while under pressure. Either way, South Africans deserve answers—and accountability.

One thing is clear: the house of blue is under fire. And this time, it’s coming from the inside.

{Source: IOL}

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